In 1950, Coaticook entered into the modern historical era, notably with access to new public services. The only thing missing was a library. As of 1958, led by influential men
in the community, it was decided to do something about it. They immediately set out to get the blessing of the priests in the city as this was the obligatory step to take at the
time. The committee consisted of Abbe Gauthier for the choice of purchasing French books and, to the local Protestant minister...for the selection of the English books.
Women would quickly take a leading place in the new project. They were eager to find sources of funding, especially by collecting and selling books, and, of course, the inevitable
bingo.
The library opened its doors in 1959, one year later, in a furnished room on the second floor of the Town Hall. The subscription for library fees was 20 cents for adults and 5 cents
per child. There were around 1,000 books in the library which was exclusively run by volunteers.
Due to lack of space, it was time for the library to look for new quarter. In all the history of the institution, the library would only be required to move a total of three times. It
would be located on Court Street in 1961, the old Bell building in 1966, and, finally on the premises of the Old Post Office in 1976 where it would undergo two major enlargements
in 1981 and 2003. It must be said that over the course of years, that subscribers and demands increased, especially since 1999 with the merger of the Townships of Barford and
Barnston to the city of Coaticook.
Let us look back somewhat to the past. From 1974, and despite the efforts of volunteers, financial problems forced the library to accept that the city of Coaticook would assume
the responsibility of running the institution. It was not until 1986 that the Coaticook library would be incorporated and managed by a board of directors.
In 2003, the official name would be known as the Francoise Maurice Library, in honor of an important figure in the cultural life of Coaticook. Mrs. Maurice occupied the position of
librarian from 1960 to 1980. She passed away in 2009 at the age of 93 years.
Thanks to her, and the hundreds of volunteers, and an incalculable number of donors and sponsors, today the subscribers have access to more than 50,000 documents, a wide
range of activities and services, as well as access to a used book store called Aux Vieux Boquins. With an eye to the future, the library offers an increasing selection of digital
books. The reading of tomorrow, today.
And, as the slogan of the library tells us: Read, it will open up the world...
Historical Capsules as part of the framework of the 150th anniversary of Coaticook, in 2014.
Reference: The City of Coaticook
